'Game of Thrones': Has season three been the best yet?

Some of the biggest SPOILER ALERT fury of all time. One of the bloodiest TV episodes of all time. Some of the biggest WT Actual F TV moments of all time (if you haven't read the books, yadda yadda). Whatever your opinions on the dramatic quality of Game of Thrones' third season, you couldn't possibly say that it hasn't been eventful.

The HBO/Sky Atlantic fantasy series is easily written off as a sex and swords, blood and boobs fest. But season three's strength has been what this writer considered season two's downfall - its sheer depth.

In season three the writers have managed the nigh on impossible task of balancing an ever-expanding cast and spiralling storylines.

Joffrey may have had a smaller role of late, but the writers have made the most of the joyously detestable little runt every time he's popped up. Likewise, even though it's impossible to feature a glut of Daenerys, Jon Snow, Jaime, Tyrion, Tywin and Dame Diana flipping Rigg in every episode, it doesn't feel like any of the show's strongest assets have been neglected. There was no Daenerys wandering endlessly through the deserts this time around.

Dinklage will, as always, get the big awards nods as the battle scarred, zinger-spewing Tyrion. However, while the sharp-talking dwarf gets all the best lines, it has been the performances of his fellow cast that have really energised the show's third run.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau remains the show's most undervalued star as the terrible-but-we-love-him Jaime Lannister, while the always-awesome Emilia Clarke continues to make the always-awesome Daenerys the only dragon-wielding heroine we'll ever need.

Despite managing to pick up a BAFTA this year, the show remains only a cult success in the UK. Partly due to its home on Sky Atlantic. Partly due to the limited appeal of a violence and sex-packed drama based in fantasy kingdoms.

But who cares about how many people are watching? The chunk of people who remain uninitiated in the Westeros and Essos and White Walkers and Dothraki are the ones missing out. Over the last 10 weeks Thrones fans have been treated to platinum-quality television that makes your jaw drop and tugs at your heart, sometimes simultaneously.

Game of Thrones season three concludes this evening (June 10) at 9pm on Sky Atlantic.